To Screen or Not to Screen Children for Obesity
Reuters
Recent studies have shown that only a minority of youths are screened for diabetes, liver problems and high cholesterol.
Researchers feel that lack of screenings for children contribute to the reason why heavy kids appear to have shorter lives than others.
Other experts, however, say there is no proof that adding screenings for children who have a history of obesity will improve the prospects for the more than one in six kids who are obese.
"Lack of knowledge of current guidelines likely contributes to underscreening, as guidelines have varied throughout the study period, beginning with vague recommendations in 1998 to more complete guidelines published in 2005 and 2007," said Dr. Lacey Benson, Children's Hospital Colorado.
Read more about the pros and cons of screening kids for furutre obesity complications.
